Turinabol (4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)

Biomedical Science Graduate. After completing the educational and research requirements for a PhD in Biomedical Science, Dan is currently studying at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and has less than a year before joining the Medical Board becoming an MD and qualified Doctor.
Dan's educational emphasis is on performance enhancement drugs (PEDs), endocrinology, nutritional supplements and strategies for health, fat reduction, anti-ageing, muscle growth, disease control and vaccinations. Dan has had an interest in learning and writing about steroid use for over 15 years.

Overview and History of Turinabol

Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, also known as ‘Tbol’ and Oral Turinabol) is actually a modified form of Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), whereby it is actually a combination of the chemical structures of Dianabol and Clostebol (4-chlorotestosterone). Hence this is why the actual chemical name is 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone. The modifications to its chemical structure allow it to be non-aromatizable and to also possess a very low androgenic rating, which is likely why Turinabol has been nicknamed as a ‘mild Dianabol’.

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Information in regards to Turinabol was first published in 1962[1] and Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone was then manufactured and released by Jenapharm in East Germany as Turinabol and Oral Turinabol. Much like other compounds such as Anavar (Oxandrolone), Turinabol was revered by medical personnel and physicians for its ability to provide a fairly distinct separation of its anabolic and androgenic effects, favoring anabolic effects of course. This is one of the reasons why its often compared to compounds such as Anavar or Promobolan. As a result, much like Anavar or Primobolan, Oral-Turinabol saw extensive medical use in not just adult males but in women and children also. At the time, Turinabol was offered in two different concentrations per tablet: 1mg tablets, and 5mg tablets. The 1mg tablets would typically be utilized for individuals traditionally more sensitive to anabolic steroid therapies, such as women and children. Under its medical use at the time, it was prescribed for many different ailments, but was used frequently for the promotion of fat free mass in wasting disorders as well as the promotion of bone strength and mass.

Later in the 1990s, it was discovered that Turinabol was one of the key anabolic steroids utilized by East Germany in their infamous state-sponsored doping program known as the State Plan Research Theme 14.25. This plan was developed by the East German government in the late 1960s and implemented between 1974 – 1989 for the explicit purpose of administering anabolic steroids to all of their athletes (whether unbeknownst to them or not) in order to dominate at the Olympic games and other international sporting events. The core goal of this program was to simply cheat the anabolic steroid testing system in the Olympics by administering what would be at the time undetectable (due to its existence not being relatively well known) anabolic steroids to unwitting athletes, both male and female, who were simply told by their trainers and coaches that they were being given tiny blue vitamins. It later became known that the majority of these “vitamins” was, in fact, Oral-Turinabol. It was discovered that approximately 10,000 athletes over the course of a little over two decades were administered anabolic steroids (with most being Turinabol), whether they had known it or not.

Although Tbol had expressed an incredible record of valid application and safety, in 1994 Jenapharm halted production. This was a time in the early 1990s when the majority of anabolic steroids had been discontinued and pulled from markets all across the world due to the increasing anti-steroid stigma at the time. The increasing amounts of negative attention drawn to the use of anabolic steroids in sports in the early 1990s did not help Turinabol’s case, and its fate at the time was similar to many other anabolic steroids at the time as well. Jenapharm was eventually bought by Schering AG in 1996, but did not resume the manufacture of Turinabol. The halted production in the early 1990s coincided with the details concerning East Germany’s state sponsored doping program coming to light, and its abrupt production halt alongside the news in regards to the doping program is likely what contributed to the popular attitude among athletes and bodybuilders that Turinabol was a very mysterious, special, and prized anabolic steroid to obtain.

Today there are no known pharmaceutical productions of this compound, and its production is limited to underground lab (UGL) manufacturers.

Chemical Characteristics of Turinabol

As previously mentioned, Tbol is in reality a modified form of Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), whereby it is actually a combination of the chemical structures of Dianabol and Clostebol (4-chlorotestosterone). It possesses the same general chemical structure of Dianabol along with the 4-chloro substitution that Clostebol possesses. The result is that Tbol becomes a much milder hormone than its parent hormone Dianabol. The alterations to its chemical structure remove the ability for it to be able to be aromatized into Estrogen[2], as well as exhibiting a far weaker androgenic strength. Turinabol therefore possesses an anabolic rating of 54, and a very low androgenic rating of 6, making its separation between anabolic and androgenic effects very distinct and favorable[3]. Although the anabolic strength is considerably less than Dianabol’s rating of 90 – 210, the distinct distance between Turinabol’s anabolic and androgenic effects tend to be far more favorable to the individual.

Turinabol’s chemical modifications also grant it a 16 hour half-life as well as the ability to bind to SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)[4].

Turinabol is C17-alpha alkylated so as to allow oral bioavailability, and as a result, will exhibit a measure of liver toxicity[5]. It also possesses a double bond between carbon 1 and carbon 2 (also known as the 1-ene carbon), and it is this double-bond that is responsible for the reduction of androgenic strength. Lastly, as previously mentioned, a chloro group has been added at the 4th carbon, responsible for rendering it unable to aromatize as well as reducing the androgenic strength even further.

Properties of Turinabol

Because of its distinct separation of its androgenic to anabolic effects, it is a weaker anabolic steroid than its parent hormone Dianabol. However, the assurance with Tbol is that with any apparent muscle building capability, it will present much less in the way of androgenic effects and absolutely no estrogenic effects (due to its inability to aromatize into Estrogen). Because of its fairly weaker strength than Dianabol, the doses required to elicit effects from Tbol are considered to be quite high (this will be explained shortly in the Tbol doses section of this profile).

In general, athletes and bodybuilders can expect steady and quality lean mass gains with no risk of any bloating, gyno, or any other estrogenic effects. Mass and strength gains are not known to be dramatic due to its lack of anabolic strength, but steady and quality lean gains that grow consistently over time can be expected. It is also used as an ideal cutting agent during periods of fat loss or pre-contest preparation due to its inability to convert into Estrogen. Turinabol’s capabilities really shine as an adjunct to other anabolic steroids when it is run (stacked) with other anabolic steroids due to its ability to bind to SHBG. Binding to SHBG allows more of the other anabolic steroids it is stacked with to be available to do their job, being uninhibited by SHBG, which is another advantage that it exhibits.

Turinabol Side Effects

Oral Turinabol is known as one of the ‘mild’ oral anabolic steroids, often put in the same category as Anavar (Oxandrolone) and Primobolan. Turinabol also lacks any estrogenic component and does not cause estrogen levels to rise. This means Tbol is a relatively safe compound for women and those wanting a mild steroid as an introduction into the world of anabolics.

Androgenic Side Effects

Turinabol’s chemical alteration of holding a double-bond between carbons 1 and 2, as well as the 4-chloro modification, grant it with a significantly reduced androgenic strength. This, though, does not avoid the androgenicity of Turinabol on users. In higher doses, Tbol can cause androgenic symptoms such as aggression, roid rage and acne. Turinabol is also metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme into a stronger androgenic metabolite, but the rate of 5AR reduction that Turinabol is exposed to is known to be very minor. The usage of 5AR inhibitors such as Proscar, Dutasteride and Finastride would likely be ineffective.

Estrogenic Side Effects

Turinabol is a modified form of Methandrostenolone (Dianabol, Dbol), and while Dianabol does hold a moderate affinity for aromatization into estrogen, Turinabol does not at all. Turinabols chemical makeup makes interaction with the estrogen receptor (ER) impossible. This is the result of its 4-chloro substitution (the chloro group that has been affixed to the 4th carbon on the steroid structure). Turinabol cannot therefore aromatase at any dosage. Side effects such as, gynecomastia will not be the resilt of Turinabol usage.

Testosterone Suppression

Almost all anabolic steroids will alter the production of endogenous testosterone in males and females to varying degrees. Even though Oral Turinabol is considered mild, it will still cause testosterone inhibition. Although Turninabol will not interact with the estrogen receptor (ER) in the hypothalamus or progesterone receptor (PgR) and cause suppression, it will interact with the androgen receptor (AR) and reduce the production of gonadotropins. This means a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is recommended when Tbol has been used alone. Anti-Estrogens such as, Nolvadex and Clomid can be used to boost endogenous testosterone production following Tbol’s usage in stacks.

Hepatoxic and Cholesterol Related Side Effects

Due to Turninabol being a C17-alpha alkylated oral anabolic steroid, liver values including AST and ALT levels will rise with its use. However, as shown in medical studies done on East German athletes back in the 1990, doses of 15-35mg per day did not alter AST and ALT levels significantly. But one has to remember, Tbol dosages nowadays are more then 15-35 mg per day, often exceeding 60mg. Therefore, more of a negative impact on liver, kidney and cholesterol would be expected. Just like many oral steroids, the users cholesterol profile can change dramatically. HDL can fall and LDL can rise causing a bad environment for other cardiovascular related side effects and increase risk factors.

• Cardiovascular Side Effects

As previously noted, cholesterol levels can change when oral steroids are used, even for short periods. Recent research has pointed the finger at cholesterol as being one of the most important steroid related side effects bodybuilders want to avoid. The thickening of the blood (red blood count RBC), artery plaque, high blood pressure, high LDL and low HDL can and will lead to coronary heart disease (CHD) if adequate precautions aren’t taken. It is thus advised; all oral steroids are taken for cycles of 6-8 weeks and no longer. Support supplements are also advised, these include: Curcumin, Citrus Bergamot, Vitamin K2, Omega-3.

Turinabol Doses and Administration

Turinabol has a low androgenic rating of 6 and an anabolic strength rating of 53, this makes it near perfect in terms of comparing side effects and gains. Due to such as low androgenic rating, acne, aggression, roid rage and strength increases are rare, but not non-existent. Compared to its parent hormone Dianabol, it’s a weaker anabolic and bodybuilders don’t see Oral Tbol as a mass gaining agent.

Turinabol posses roughly half the anabolic rating of Testosterone, so dosages in the range of 40-60mg per day are advised as an introduction. Turinabol dosages can exceed 80-100mg per day, but bodybuilders report side effects begin to rise, whilst gains remain constant.

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Medical doses of Turinabol are around 5-10mg per day and given to those with muscle wasting diseases. Female medical doses start at 1mg per day and can exceed 2.5mg daily (QC).

Historically, athletic and bodybuilding related dosages according to literature show us that Turinabol was utilized by the East German weight lifting team at 10g per year (27mg per day), and this documentation also notes that the leading East German sprinter was administered no more than 730mg per year (2mg per day).

Beginner Turnabol doses is suggested at 30-40mg per day, whilst intermediate users can use 50-80mg daily. Advanced and professional bodybuilders can use 80-100mg plus per day, with some forums reporting doses of 150mg being used. However, these more extreme doses can cause side effects and other androgens can be used with better gains.

Turinabol has a half-life of 16 hours. This is considered long when compared to other oral androgens. Dianabol, which is closely structurally related to Tbol, has a half-life of 4.5-6 hours for example. As a result of this long half-life, it is not required to split Tbol dosages into twice per day, but the steroid user can ingest the full daily dosage once per day.

Turinabol Cycles and Uses

Tbol is often stacked in combination with other anabolic steroids, this is due to it being a mild compound and lowering natural testosterone levels in users. Turinabol isn’t the most anabolic or androgenic of steroids, therefore mass gaining agents are favoured over Tbol. This relatively mild anabolic is used during cutting phases, fat loss periods and pre-contest bodybuilding.

Turinabol cycles can consist of running the oral alone at between 40-60mg per day for 6-8 weeks. This will give a nice boost in strength, lean muscle and allow the steroid user to maintain muscle mass when in a calorie deficit. Preventing protein breakdown is a much-needed weapon when getting to sub 10% body fat is the goal.

More advanced stacks of Oral Turinabol can mean other compounds such as; Testosterone can be used for synergistic effects. Short and long estered Testosterone preparations can be used. Testosterone Propionate at 100mg injected every other day with Turinabol 60mg per day lasting 8 weeks is an excellent stack for lean muscle mass and dieting for the summer.

During longer cycles of Testosterone, for example, using Testosterone Enanthate for 12 weeks, an oral is introduced for the first 4-6 weeks whilst the Testosterone “kicks in”. This is a term used for when stable blood plasma levels are at their peak and gains in muscle mass and protein synthesis are at their highest.

Turinabol Legality

Turinabol (4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) is classified as a Schedule III drug in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), originally legislated by the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and in 1991 scheduled under the CSA as a Schedule III drug whereby possession and use of anabolic steroids are be considered a criminal offense.

Possession of anabolic steroids carry penalties of at least 1 year in prison and a $1,000 fine for an individual’s first offense under federal law. Distributing under federal law carries a 5 year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Second offenses double the above penalties. Aside from federal law, individual states have also imposed additional varying state laws in regards to the illegal use and/or distributing of controlled substance (anabolic steroids).

Biomedical Science Graduate. After completing the educational and research requirements for a PhD in Biomedical Science, Dan is currently studying at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and has less than a year before joining the Medical Board becoming an MD and qualified Doctor.
Dan’s educational emphasis is on performance enhancement drugs (PEDs), endocrinology, nutritional supplements and strategies for health, fat reduction, anti-ageing, muscle growth, disease control and vaccinations. Dan has had an interest in learning and writing about steroid use for over 15 years.